Vacations

Sen. Ted Cruz is back in Texas after his quick getaway to Cancun was seemingly shortened by the outrage over his timing -- amid the statewide emergency -- and now he has police protection.

Officers escorted Cruz as he deplaned in Houston to head to customs. Sounds like he's in a pretty chipper mood for a guy who pissed off millions of people in a matter of hours.

As we reported ... Cancun Cruz and his family boarded a United flight Wednesday night to begin a tropical getaway as millions of his fellow Texans are literally freezing and dying due to the winter storm-induced power outages.

The Senator quickly hopped on a flight back to Houston Thursday afternoon, hours after the backlash. He was reportedly trying to get an upgrade to business class, but as you can see he rode back in economy -- and passengers weren't shy about chatting him up.

Cruz says he only took the trip to be a "good dad" and chaperone his daughters to Cancun. He claims he had always planned to return today, but that seems suspect ... considering his wife was on the trip, and could've handled babysitting duty on her own.

Oh, and he had a pretty big roll-on bag too for a 24-hour trip. 🤔

There's only one Texan who's warm right now, and that's Texas Senator Ted Cruz ... who bolted to Cancun with his family while millions in his state suffer.

Photos show the Republican Senator hanging out in the United Club lounge and boarding a flight to Mexico with his family  ... an incredible sight as people are literally dying in Cruz's state just trying to stay warm.

But, it's true ... while millions of his fellow Texans are without power and water and are literally freezing during a winter ice storm, Ted's off to a Cancun resort for some fun in the sun.

Cruz was already facing criticism this week during the Texas power outages as a tweet resurfaced of him mocking California's "failed energy policies" when it experienced outages last August.

As for his own state's power outages, Cruz threw in the towel, tweeting ... "I got no defense. A blizzard strikes Texas & our state shuts down. Not good. Stay safe!"

Ted might want to start working on a defense while he's poolside in Mexico.

It's official -- Mason Rudolph and tennis star Genie Bouchard are an item ... and we know this, 'cause the NFL QB made the announcement Sunday with a steamy IG pic of the two in Cabo!

As we previously reported, Bouchard and Rudolph began dating in the fall ... but the two had carefully avoided any public appearances or social media shoutouts.

That all changed Sunday, though ... when 25-year-old Rudolph posted a smokin'-hot flick of the couple in swimsuits on a beach in Mexico.

"My valentine," Rudolph captioned the photo, adding a heart emoji.

Interestingly, 26-year-old Bouchard did NOT post Rudolph ... though she did confirm her Cabo vacay was a "quick vday getaway."

A few of Rudolph's Steelers teammates congratulated the quarterback on the relationship ... with Eric Ebron, Zach Banner and Terrell Edmunds all showing love.

Of course, Bouchard and Rudolph are no strangers to high-profile relationships ... Rudolph was just spotted last year with "Bachelor" star Hannah Ann, while Bouchard famously went on a date with a guy after losing a Super Bowl bet.

Cardi B is one happy lady, because she got a pretty spectacular pre-Valentine's Day gift from her hubby.

Cardi, with Kulture in tow, surveyed Offset's handiwork Friday ... their living room filled with beautiful floral arrangements. Cardi and Kulture were gleeful as they checked out a bed filled with rose petals in the shape of a heart, along with "Love" balloons.

It really looked like a professional decorator designed the surprise, and that's why Cardi questioned Offset to see if he did it. He said he did, but we're not sure if he's saying he arranged the flowers himself or if he hired someone to do it. Either way, it's awesome.

The room is really beautiful ... it's a nice peak in.

Is there anything a Mai Tai can't fix?!

J.J. Watt says he initially dealt with rumors he could be traded out of Houston this offseason by heading to Hawaii and getting drunk. Pretty good plan!!

There are rumblings the Houston Texans could ship the 31-year-old NFL superstar to another squad while they try to rebuild their broken franchise.

Watt is set to make $17.5 mil in base salary in 2021 — and unloading that salary could be enticing to Houston.

Watt appeared on 'The Tonight Show' with Jimmy Fallon — and was asked how he handles the trade rumors considering he's played every down of his career with Houston since they drafted him in 2011???

“I process it by going to Hawaii for a week,” Watt said with a smile … “And I probably should have stayed there.”

“It was great! I had some Lava Flows with some rum floating on top!”

Watt explained he chose to relax and booze with his wife in paradise -- sipping Mai Tais by the pool -- instead of freaking out over his NFL future.

"So, that was a good way to cope with it. And I might just head back there!"

As for talk he could head to Pittsburgh and play on the same team as his 2 younger brothers T.J. and Derek ... J.J. says don't hold your breath!

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly under police investigation in Italy for allegedly violating the country's strict COVID rules to take his girlfriend on a fancy ski trip.

Multiple news outlets in Italy say Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez traveled from Turin to Courmayeur earlier this week, which is not allowed at the moment.

Courmayeur is located in Aosta Valley, which is reportedly off-limits to visitors currently because the region is located in a medium-to-high risk orange zone, according to Sky Sports.

Italy has been hit extremely hard by COVID -- with more than 2.5 million cases and 86,000 deaths. More than 500 people died from COVID on Tuesday alone. And, daily cases are reportedly on the rise.

The Juventus superstar reportedly set up a 2-day birthday ski getaway for Georgina, who turned 27 on Jan 27. Video has circulated on social media showing Ronaldo and Georgina on a snowmobile.

Neither Ronaldo nor his girlfriend have been formally accused of any wrongdoing -- but police in the city of Aosta are reportedly looking into the trip to see if they broke the law.

Kylie and Kendall Jenner are living like queens south of the border ... soaking up the sun in a castle by the sea.

The billionaire and her model sister are treating themselves to a Mexican getaway, shacking up in the super luxurious Ocean Castle Sol de Oriente in Costa Careyes ... and ya gotta see their digs.

The 6-bedroom villa sits atop the Peninsula de las Estrellas -- that's Spanish for stars -- and it's surrounded by a 360-degree infinity pool offering panoramic views of the ocean and beach.

The private estate goes for $6,500 a night and has room for 12 ... but this girls' trip is reserved for Kylie, Kendall and Stassie Karanikolaou.

The fortress is very camera-friendly too ... Kylie, Kendall and Stassie all have been posting tons of pics out by the pool, from sunrise to sunset.

Brad Pitt is the anti-Justin Bieber early on in 2021 -- instead of covering up his tattoos like the Biebs, Brad's showing off his ink!!!

Brad's ringing in the new year down in Turks and Caicos and doing some snorkeling ... and these shirtless shots of his outing reveal his extensive back tattoos.

It's a rare sighting as Brad's pretty secretive about his ink work.

As you can see, Brad's back is home to at least 7 tatts ... ranging from a tornado to some Sanskrit and a handful of other interesting designs. Hell, there's even a lower back piece that's dangerously close to tramp stamp territory.

Brad's not flying solo in Turks ... Flea, from Red Hot Chili Peppers, is with him for the male-bonding tropical getaway.

Zara Holland, a “Love Island” star and Miss Great Britain 2015, could be facing time behind bars in Barbados, after allegedly trying to board a plane bound for England when her boyfriend tested positive for COVID.

The reality star and Elliott Love were reportedly trying to board the plane to avoid being taken to a quarantine facility.

They were tested 6 days ago upon their arrival to the island and ordered to self-quarantine until they got the results. The results came back and Love tested positive, according to The Sun. They were given red wristbands and the plan was for them to quarantine at a military base that is now used to isolate COVID-positive people.

They reportedly tried to jump the gun by cutting off their wristbands, calling a cab and hightailing it to the airport. Someone apparently found the wristbands and figured out what was up and called the cops. The couple was corralled at airport security and taken into custody. They're reportedly being held in the COVID-wing at a local hospital.

They could both face possible criminal charges if true, which includes the crime of endangering the lives of others. The crime carries a maximum sentence of 1 year in jail.

Zara's had her issues before. She lost her beauty crown after video aired on "Love Island" of her performing oral sex on another contestant.

Don't worry if you miss the New Year's Eve fireworks this year because the Kardashian/Jenner squad put on a serious show of their own over the last 12 months on social media with some of the most awe-inspiring selfies worthy of a round of applause.

Burst through our gallery of every must-see hot shots the Calabasas crew shared on Instagram and test whether you've been truly keeping up with the celebrated sisters by guessing who's in the sexy selfie.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky's romantic holiday trip to Barbados has been anything but boring ... and the new couple just ramped things up with a wild ride on the Caribbean.

Rihanna and A$AP certainly weren't afraid to show a little PDA on their chartered catamaran Monday. The two also hit the water on a jet ski and hopped in an inner tube for some high-speed action.

The couple celebrated Christmas together on Rihanna's home turf, and from what we've seen, the holiday thas been action-packed -- boat trips, dinner dates and plenty of time with friends.

A$AP is Rihanna's first serious relationship since her split from billionaire Hassan Jameel in January. The two dated for nearly 3 years.

Before this holiday vacay, we'd seen A$AP and RiRi strolling the streets of New York City just after it came out they were dating. It's way better seeing them down in Barbados ... less clothing, more smiles!

While most of America is (hopefully) hunkering down and staying safe at home this holiday season there are some big-name stars that are still adventuring out of their homes and flying around the world on extravagant trips to share these scorching hot shots on the 'Gram.

Check out which celebs have booked lavish vacations and left the nest between Thanksgiving and Christmas of 2020 for some rest and relaxation ... then took to social media to post these smokin' selfies while the rest of us are sitting around the house.

Brooks Koepka knows how to kick his GF Jena Sims' birthday month off right ... by bringing her along to his golf tourney in Mexico -- and yes, there's plenty of 🔥.

The #12-ranked golfer in the world had an early exit from the Mayakoba Classic in Playa del Carmen last week ... but don't worry, he had his lady right by his side to cheer him up.

The couple has been together for years and always fill their social media with solid content when they take romantic getaways -- and this one is no different.

Jena posted a shot of feeding grapes to her man while wearing a black bikini on Monday ... as well as a quick boomerang of the couple showing off their dance moves.

Brooks and Jena even enlisted their friends for a short parody of "Bachelor In Paradise" ... which features slo-mo bikini runs, beach make-outs and WAY too much sunscreen.

Jena's birthday is Dec. 30 ... so stay tuned for what Brooks has up his sleeve for her special day.

We can't wait!!

Kristin Cavallari and Jeff Dye still won't officially say they're dating, but their lips are making it abundantly clear during a Mexican vacay ... they are definitely a thing.

Kristin and the comedian were all over each other in Cabo San Lucas ... kissing, hugging and laughing constantly. The only time they seemed to take a break from the PDA was to sip a drink while hanging with friends down south.

While they're openly enjoying each other's company it still seems like Kristin's trying to keep this unofficial-relationship on the DL.

For starters, she posted a pic on Instagram but didn't tag Jeff ... and did the same when she posted an IG Story with a couple of friends on the trip.

BTW ... she's wearing the same pink bikini on her Instagram post as the one she wore while out with her apparent new bae.

Kristin, who back in April announced she and Jay Cutler are getting divorced, was first seen hanging out with Jeff in Chicago in October making out, then in Nashville in November. Before reportedly meeting up again at Craig's in Los Angeles.

The Kardashians are getting outdoorsy ... with a rustically elegant alpine estate.

Sources tell TMZ ... the fam bam stayed at this stunning cabin in Lake Tahoe for a few days, and they brought company too. We're told a production crew was also there to document what will eventually air in the final season of 'KUWTK.'

The private compound's pretty damn breathtaking. It features a main residence and a guest house ... with a whopping 17 bedrooms and 18 bathrooms. The house is 17,000 square feet strong. The pad's even got a name -- the Gunbarrel Lodge -- after the Heavenly Ski Resort adjacent to the 15-acre property.

The scenic driveway takes guests to a hillside perch, which leads into a grand porte-cochere entry. The house has phenomenal lake views and a huge deck for chilling and sunbathing.

The decor includes melded timbers and rugged reclaimed materials -- like masterful stonework -- that seamlessly create an indoor/outdoor flow.

When the Kardashians recently pranked some of their family members and close friends -- including Justin Bieber, Dave Chappelle, David Grutman and Travis Scott -- one of the pad's stone beams and walls was prominently featured in the background.

The COVID-19 vaccines are already injecting renewed confidence into the decimated travel industry -- travelers are taking the news as a green light to pack their bags.

Although most of us won't have access to one of 3 potential vaccines until next spring, Cruise Brothers -- one of the largest family-owned cruise travel agencies in the country -- tells TMZ, it saw a 60 percent spike in new itineraries compared to election week ... when bookings were few and far between.

The big change between then and now, of course, is Pfizer, Moderna and Oxford-AstraZeneca all announced highly-effective vaccines are going to the FDA for approval.

That's enough to get folks thinking summer vacations -- but they're still steering clear of current COVID hotspots. We're told Alaska is the most popular destination getting booked now, while the least popular is Europe.

Antarctica, the only continent untouched by COVID-19, is attracting luxury travelers ... Cruise Brothers says trips there are up 100 percent compared to what was on the books before the pandemic.

They do expect people to start booking more traditional European getaways though ... once the current COVID surge there dies down.

TripAdvisor says 65 percent of consumers are already thinking about traveling. So, once vaccines are widely available, it's looking like the travel industry will be inundated with bookings.